Munster SHC Final – Waterford 2-15 Cork 2-15

Waterford and Cork finished level in the Munster Senior Hurling Championship Final on Sunday in Semple Stadium Thurles on a final scoreline of 2-15 to 2-15.

Browne has last say in Waterford’s grand finale

Cork 2-15 Waterford 2-15

By Diarmuid O’Flynn for the Irish Examiner newspaper

Monday, July 12, 2010

IS there no separating these two magnificent hurling teams? Ten times now in the last eight years Waterford and Cork have met in championship and after this latest chapter in Thurles yesterday, yet another absorbing contest in yet another superbly entertaining Munster final, the score now stands at four wins each and two draws. In that period on both sides there have been changes in personnel, in management, in tactics (evident yesterday); a constant, however, has been the entertainment value. Sure, there have been better games than this one, but the quality was all still there, the net-bursting crowd-lifting goals, the impressive point-scoring, and of course the late, late dramatics.

Waterford, a goal behind entering the final minute of the four indicated for injury-time; then the most experienced player on the park stealing forward from his wing-back position to hammer home the rebound of a 20m free — ah Tony Browne, what a true trooper you are. ! And even still it wasn’t over, the massed Cork supporters at the town end having their cheers choke in their throats as Michael Cussen’s last-gasp effort from the subsequent puckout tailed wide of the posts. The tactical change was most evident in the first half, at the end of which Waterford led by the slimmest of margins, 0-7 to 0-6. No free-wheeling, free-scoring approach here, gone are the days when, as once famously noted by Cork midfielder Tom Kenny, it was simply a case of “Giving two kids a ball and just letting them play away.”

With Davy Fitz having taken over from Justin McCarthy in Waterford since the teams last meeting, in 2007, this game was always likely to be a lot more tactical. So it was proving in that opening half, time and space at a premium, runners everywhere as Cork keeper Donal Óg Cusack looked for openings for his puckouts (still managed a very good return, in an overall display of goalkeeping excellence), both teams hunting in packs and putting huge pressure on whoever had the ball. Understandable then that in that opening period all the stars were wearing single-digit-numbered jerseys — Noel Connors and Eoin Murphy outstanding in the corners for Waterford, Shane O’Neill and Brian Murphy likewise for Cork, though John Mullane at full-forward for Waterford and Aisake Ó hAilpín on the edge of the square for Cork, both looked dangerous.

Both half-back lines were on top, however, the Cork trio of Gardiner/Curran/Ó hAilpín especially so, nothing conceded from play, Seán Óg even storming upfield to notch a rare championship point. Brick Walsh and Declan Prendergast were going well in the Waterford half-back line but Niall McCarthy was doing well in the possession stakes for Cork, as were midfielders Cathal Naughton (two fine points to boot) and Tom Kenny, though Shane O’Sullivan (superb 70 minutes) and Richie Foley were also doing their share for the Déise. Not a lot of scores then in that half but a riveting contest nevertheless, massive intensity — no way were they going to be able to maintain that pace for the full 70 minutes. Thus it proved, and from very early in the second half the scores began to flow. Points initially, Waterford first gaining the initiative, three points from their two talismanic figures up front, Eoin Kelly (2) and John Mullane putting them four clear (0-10 to 0-6), Cork then hitting back through Tom Kenny, Ben O’Connor and John Gardiner (2).

And then, in six minutes, bang, bang, bang, three absolute netbusters. In the 63rd minute, Waterford full-back Liam Lawlor having been taken off before he was sent off for persistent fouling, Aisake finally got a bit of freedom, tore in on goal, barrelled a defender out of his way, and blasted to the net from close range — Cork in the lead, 1-12 to 0-13. Two minutes later it was Ben O’Connor racing in on Clinton Hennessey, courtesy of a sublime handpass from Kieran Murphy, and again, a rocket to the roof. This Waterford team is steel-cased, however, and the recovery was led by the mighty Eoin Kelly. First a long-range pointed free, then the first Waterford goal, an absolute piledriver from about 20m after Kelly had been picked out brilliantly by another Waterford stalwart, Micheál ‘Brick’ Walsh. That set up the grand finale, that late 20m free by Kelly after John Mullane’s stick was flicked as he attempted to control a long centre, Eoin Cadogan save, Tony Browne’s strike. Such theatre, such spectacle — and we get to see it all again next Saturday.!

The rivalry may have been in cold storage for three years, but it has still lost none of its drama after Cork and Waterford finished level at 2-15 apiece in the Munster GAA Hurling Senior Championship final in Thurles on Sunday afternoon. With the game in its fourth minute of injury time, Cork looked to be set for a first provincial victory since 2006, but Waterford saved themselves when Tony Browne reacted quickest to fire home the rebound after Eoin Kelly’s 20m free had been saved. Prior to that, goals from Aisake Ó hAilpín and Ben O’Connor had turned the game for Cork, who had trailed by four points early in the second half before the introduction of Michael Cussen at centre-forward brought about a change in tactics for them, which swung the momentum in their favour.

For Waterford, Eoin Kelly’s tally of 1-8 proved vital, especially the goal which got the Déise back into the game after they had trailed by five points following Cork’s double-whammy, while John Mullane also scored some fine points.

While Ronan Curran was excellent at centre-back for Cork, their full-forward line short-wired at times, especially in the first half, with Ó hAilpín’s goal the only score that the three starters in the inside line managed. In fact, Ben O’Connor was the only Cork forward to score in the opening half, and even he was struggling as a few chances from frees were wasted. With Kelly and Mullane motoring well, Waterford were the better side in the first period, but poor shooting was letting them down too. Two points was the most either side led by in the first half, with the scores level on four occasions and the fare was tame overall. Mullane was closest to a goal, shooting wide from a tight angle after Stephen Molumphy set him up, while shortly before half-time Dónal Óg Cusack saved Eoin Kelly’s shot comfortably.

A 65 from Gardiner meant that Cork trailed by just a point, 0-7 to 0-6, at half-time but a good start to the second half from Waterford pushed them four clear, Kelly getting two points while Mullane got one. Two from Gardiner ensured Cork stayed in contention though and when Ben O’Connor converted a free and Cussen scored with practically his first touch, the sides were level at 0-12 each in the 51st minute. Kelly then put Waterford back in front but less than a minute later Cork led for the first time since the fourth minute as O’Connor flicked the ball into Aisake Ó hAilpín’s path and the full-forward finished. It got better two minutes later when captain Kieran Murphy found Ben O’Connor in space and he kept his composure to finish well past Clinton Hennessy for a 2-12 to 0-13 lead.

A Kelly free kept Waterford in touch and then the same player beat Cusack with a brilliant shot from just outside the 20 and there was only a point in it. Points by Brian Murphy and Niall McCarthy gave Cork breathing space and that gap remained as the game moved into injury time, following Kelly and O’Connor exchanging frees. Then, Waterford were awarded a 20m free in the final minute and despite Kelly’s shot being blocked, Browne was on hand to fire the loose ball home and ensure we would be back for a replay.

Waterford Hurling Legends Paul Flynn, Fergal Hartley and Cork’s Diarmuid O’Sullivan will take to the stage on Thursday 8th July in Masons Bar for the Waterford Guinness Hurling Supporters event

Guinness, official sponsor of the GAA All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship, are asking fans all over the country to join them in celebrating the hurling championship at exclusive Guinness Hurling Supporters Events, in association with Today FM, around the country this summer.

The Waterford event is the third of four Guinness Hurling Supporters Events to take place around the country. Galway kicked off proceedings last week in The Skeff, Eyre Square, on Tuesday 29th June followed by the Kilkenny Guinness Hurling Supporters Event in Langtons on Friday 2nd July. Masons will host the Waterford event this Thursday 8th July, followed by the Cork event in the Groves, Blackpool on Friday 9th July ahead of the much anticipated Munster Final.

Each event is broadcast live on “The Last Word” on Today FM from 6.30pm to 7pm. After the live broadcast ends, the rest of the evening is streamed live on www.todayfm.com. Doors open at 5.30pm.

Hosted by The Last Word presenter, Matt Cooper, the Waterford Guinness Hurling Supporters event night will be a relaxed preview of the Munster Final, with a mixture of expert analysis, fan interaction, and video footage, as the panel and fans look forward with optimism to the upcoming game.

A Guinness Hurling Supporters event will also be held in the square in Thurles on the day of the Munster Final, when MC Marty Morrisey will host a panel of former Cork and Cork hurling legends. There will be further events happening around the country in the lead up to the All Ireland hurling semi-finals and final.

“The Guinness Hurling Supporters Events really inspire the fans to really get behind their county and their team, and to look forward to the big game with optimism,” said Guinness Brand Manager, Barry Fitzpatrick.

“Not only do these supporters events give fans across the country the chance to have their say in the company of some of the former greats of the game, both in person at the event, they can also check out the latest news and what’s going on via the Guinness Hurling Facebook page.”

Cork Hurling Legends Donal O’Grady, John Allen, Joe Deane and Waterford’s Dave Bennett will take to the stage on Friday 9th July in The Groves Bar, Blackpool for the Cork Guinness Hurling Supporters event

Guinness, official sponsor of the GAA All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship, are asking fans all over the country to join them in celebrating the hurling championship at exclusive Guinness Hurling Supporters Events, in association with Today FM, around the country this summer.

The Cork event is the final one of four Guinness Hurling Supporters Events to take place around the country. Galway kicked off proceedings last week in The Skeff, Eyre Square, on Tuesday 29th June followed by the Kilkenny Guinness Hurling Supporters Event in Langtons on Friday 2nd July. Masons Bar in Waterford will host the next event on Thursday 8th July, followed by the Cork event in the Groves, Blackpool on Friday 9th July ahead of the much anticipated Munster Final.

Each event is broadcast live on “The Last Word” on Today FM from 6.30pm to 7pm. After the live broadcast ends, the rest of the evening is streamed live on www.todayfm.com. Doors open at 5.30pm.

Hosted by The Last Word presenter, Matt Cooper, the Cork Guinness Hurling Supporters event night will be a relaxed preview of the Munster Final, with a mixture of expert analysis, fan interaction, and video footage, as the panel and fans look forward with optimism to the upcoming game.

A Guinness Hurling Supporters event will also be held in the square in Thurles on the day of the Munster Final, when MC Marty Morrisey will host a panel of former Cork and Cork hurling legends. There will be further events happening around the country in the lead up to the All Ireland hurling semi-finals and final.

“The Guinness Hurling Supporters Events really inspire the fans to really get behind their county and their team, and to look forward to the big game with optimism,” said Guinness Brand Manager, Barry Fitzpatrick.

“Not only do these supporters events give fans across the country the chance to have their say in the company of some of the former greats of the game, both in person at the event, they can also check out the latest news and what’s going on via the Guinness Hurling Facebook page.”